Reports of stepfathers abusing stepdaughters sexually, of lecturers in the tertiary institutions failing female students who refuse to “get down” with them, of young ladies raped by boyfriends, of married women being battered by their husbands at home are becoming regular features in the Nigerian news.

Two months ago, the Boko Haram insurgents charged into the Government Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno State and whisked away to yet an uncertain destination about 276 adolescent girls sitting for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Accounts of a lucky few who escaped the clutches of the terrorists had it that a girl was being raped by fifteen different men in a day.

Women judges say all these typify the increasing violence to which the female gender has become the prime victim.

Under the auspices of the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria, South-West zone, the women judges convened the first Global Leadership of Women Conference tagged: “Justice for All.”

The three days GLOW conference opened on Friday, June 13 at the Vinning Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philip, said the conference was aimed at promoting justice for all, more especially for women, children and victims of domestic violence whose rights she said have, too long, been violated with the society looking the other way.

Participants were drawn from across relevant society groups including market women, Senior Secondary School girls, the police, medical practitioners, community leaders, human rights activists and members of the judiciary.

While highlighting the objective of the conference, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar , represented by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice K.M.O, Kekere-Ekun, said it would take a multi-pronged action plan to end the scourge of gender-based violence.

“The purpose of this conference is to enlighten a broad spectrum of the society on the menace of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual offences and the role we can play not only to provide succor to victims but to significantly reduce such incidents,” She said.

According to the women judges, in spite of the existing laws, the pattern of sexual assaults in Nigeria has remained unchanged for decades with the girl-child especially at risk.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Mrs. Riskat Akiyode, noted too that despite concerted efforts between the government and the judiciary, perpetrators of the wicked act seem to be on the increase.

She said, “I am aware that in 2012, rape was among the cases that dominated the Magistrates’ courts in the country.”

However, in spite of recognition by the society that assault to young girls and women has far-reaching effects transcending the physical to the emotional and psychological, the efforts to eradicate the scourge don’t appear to be yielding much fruit.

Experts say one major setback is low level of reportage and non-prosecution of the perpetrators.

The President of the National Association of Women Judges in Nigeria, Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju, said due to the embarrassing nature of the crime and for fear of stigmatisation victims are often discouraged by family members and friends from reporting cases of gender-based violence to the law enforcement agencies.

“The increase in the crime of rape and defilement has grown exponentially in recent years due to minimal or lack of reporting.” She said.

“The deafening silence of victims and the society at large to the prevalence of havoc of these crimes creates the need for public enlightenment.” Ogunwumiju added.

Orelope-Adefulire said poor knowledge of the law was another obstacle in the fight against gender-based violence.

“The Child Rights Law and the Protection Against Violence Law were passed to protect our girls and women. Also, the introduction of the Simplified Copy of the Laws and the Yellow Cards were designed to promote advocacy and sensitisation for easy understanding of the laws. It is however unfortunate that many people in our society, even legal practitioners, are ignorant of these laws.” she said.

In the new approach to tackle gender-based violence, which has been said to be threatening to decapitate the society , the women judges advocate an all-inclusive action plan.

“Parents and guidance especially, the mothers are advised to be more vigilant, available and co-operative to protect their girl-child, and to also report cases of rape, assaults and any form of abuse to law enforcement agencies when they occur. If these perpetrators are not reported, exposed and prosecuted, they would not stop the inhuman act. We must break the culture of keeping silent on rape cases and violence.” said Orelope-Adefulire.

Mukhtar added, “Gender-based violence are not ‘family matters’ to be swept under the carpet but matters in respect of which victims are entitled to legal redress and in appropriate cases, rehabilitation and counseling.”

While victims and members of the victims’ families are encouraged to speak out, the police and the judiciary were charged to be better positioned to cater to the needs of victims of violence.

Ogunwumiju said, “The police are the first point of call in the event of an incident and the handling of the complaint will either aid or mar the prosecution process.”

She said the judiciary has perfected plans to specially train women police officers who as females would better connect with the plight of victims who are mostly young girls and women.

“We intend to train female police officers at the first instance. Since most of the victims are women and young girls and most of the perpetrators are men, women police officers would immediately put themselves in the shoes of the victims when sexual offences are reported to them and appreciate their plight.” She said.

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This is excellent news. well done to the judges. A discussion/debate of this kind is long overdue in Nigeria, where sexual harassment and sexual violence against women has slowly become the norm over the years.